Watford hopes of signing Jeremy Helan end as Sheffield Wednesday re-sign him on loan from Manchester City

Watford’s hopes of signing Jeremy Helan are over – at least for the time being – after Manchester City confirmed this evening the player has returned to Sheffield Wednesday on a youth loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old joined the Hornets’ Championship rivals for the first time in November but it was revealed on Friday the Vicarage Road club were in talks with the Premier League champions to sign the Frenchman on a permanent basis.

Despite Dave Jones telling BBC Radio Sheffield “we cannot match what they [Watford] are offering” before the weekend, the Wednesday manager has got his wish and will now have the left-sided player for the remainder of the campaign.